Here at The Derm Review, we love brands that formulate their products based on science, so it’s no surprise that our team enjoyed reviewing the Skin Better Science products.
Founded in 2016, Skin Better Science believes remarkable results can be achieved simply through purposeful product innovation. Their products are formulated to prevent and correct signs of aging, such as lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and more.
But how well do the Skin Better Science products perform? To answer that question, we’ll have to discuss the formulation details, including the key ingredients in Skin Better Science products and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare.
We’ll also share some Skin Better Science reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What Are The Top 10 Best Skin Better Science Products?
Skin Better Science offers a collection of anti-aging moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, eye creams, cleansers, and exfoliants. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best Skin Better Science products.
Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Skinbetter Science debuted in 2016 and the company says its products are “backed by decades of rigorous clinical research.” The product line is only available through its network of physicians at dermatology offices as well as select medical spas. Skinbetter Science describes its philosophy as being rooted in science—“We believe remarkable results can be achieved simply, through purposeful product innovation, which is why we leverage advanced chemistry to help skincare products do more.”
It’s formulated with the brand’s patented AlphaRet technology, which successfully combines a retinoid and an AHA (glycolic acid) for effective and tolerable skin rejuvenation.
Both of these ingredients help to increase cell turnover while also stimulating collagen production. The result? Brighter, firmer, smoother skin.
Bottom Line: An anti-aging night cream that combines an AHA (glycolic acid) with a retinoid to rejuvenate skin.
Skin Better Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Like the AlphaRet Overnight Cream, this skincare cream features a unique ingredient that is made up of a retinoid combined with an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
The only difference is that this formula includes a higher concentration of glycolic acid, giving you a more intense rejuvenation (hence the name).
According to the brand, this cream should significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles in as little as four weeks, with little-to-no irritation.
Bottom Line: This product is similar to the Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, but contains a higher concentration of glycolic acid.
Skin Better Science Even Tone Correcting Serum
A hydroquinone-free serum that brightens and evens the appearance of skin tone thanks to ingredients like alpha arbutin and hexylresorcinol.
Both of these ingredients improve hyperpigmentation through inhibition of tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin, the pigment that gives skin color. By inhibiting tyrosinase, alpha arbutin, and hexylresorcinol help to reduce abnormal pigmentation associated with aging and exposure to UV light.
There’s also hydrating ingredients like hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and bisabolol, as well as ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier like ceramides.
Bottom Line: This Skin Better Science serum can help brighten the complexion and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
Skin Better Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment
This facial moisturizer includes a plethora of hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin, hydroxyethyl urea, sodium lactate, sodium PCA, urea, and many more. These ingredients help to increase the skin’s hydration by replenishing the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF).
The NMF is primarily composed of free amino acids and various derivatives of these amino acids, for example, PCA, urocanic acid, and inorganic salts, sugars, as well as urea and lactic acid.
The role of the NMF is to maintain adequate skin hydration. The NMF can become depleted with age and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. This leads to visibly dry, tight-feeling, flaky skin.
Thus, by using products that help to replenish NMF — such as Skin Better Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment — the skin will be better hydrated. Ultimately, the skin will look and feel healthy, smooth, and supple.
Plus, the formula also contains ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier, such as cholesterol and ceramides, as well as emollients like squalane and caprylic/capric triglyceride to soften skin and lock in moisture.
Bottom Line: Skin Better Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment is an excellent moisturizer because it combines ingredients to replenish the NMF with emollients and barrier-strengthening ingredients.
Skin Better Science InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye
This Skin Better Science eye cream has a silky texture that absorbs into the skin quickly without feeling greasy or sticky.
We love that the formula contains a decent amount of niacinamide, which is one of the best skincare ingredients, in our opinion. And there’s research to back it up.
For example, a publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology; states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkling. Pretty impressive, right?
And like most eye care products, the Skin Better Science eye cream includes caffeine. We all know caffeine can help wake up our minds, but did you know caffeine also helps combat dark circles and puffiness when applied topically?
After caffeine penetrates the skin barrier, it’s absorbed by the surrounding blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction while also stimulating blood flow. This helps in reducing the amount of blood that accumulates under the eyes (a major factor that contributes to dark circles).
Caffeine also acts as a diuretic and can help to relieve water retention, a major cause of puffiness under the eyes.
Last but not least is the targeted peptide (palmitoyl tripeptide-38), which is designed to smooth the appearance of crow’s feet almost immediately.
Bottom Line: Skin Better Science eye cream includes key ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, and an anti-aging peptide to brighten and firm the skin around the eyes.
Skin Better Science Alto Defense Serum
This antioxidant serum helps to protect your skin from free radical damage with the potent antioxidants vitamins C and E, as well as a whopping 17 additional antioxidants.
Using an antioxidant serum is important because free radicals can damage important cellular components, including collagen. Damaged collagen manifests as signs of premature skin aging, including wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin.
There are also hydrating ingredients like hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and bisabolol, as well as ingredients to brighten the complexion, such as licorice and turmeric root extract.
Bottom Line: An antioxidant serum that protects against environmental free radicals while also hydrating and brightening skin.
Skin Better Science sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact
This is a 100% mineral sunscreen that combines zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide broad-spectrum SPF 68 protection.
These sunscreen ingredients are formulated into a tone-adapting, silky smooth compact that provides a hint of blendable color. It acts as a primer under makeup and you can layer it for additional coverage.
Plus, this Skin Better sunscreen provides benefits beyond UV protection, including blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation.
Bottom Line: A 100% mineral sunscreen compact that acts as a primer under makeup and provides a hint of blendable color.
Skin Better Science sunbetter SHEER SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick
Another 100% mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that’s formulated into a weightless, transparent, and easy-to-apply stick. These ingredients provide broad-spectrum SPF 56 protection against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
The formula has a very silky texture thanks to a combination of several different silicones and emollients. However, unlike the sunbetter Sunscreen Compact, this product does not provide any color.
Bottom Line: A 100% mineral sunscreen stick that creates a silky, sheer effect when blended into the skin.
Skin Better Science Hydration Boosting Cream
This dual-action moisturizer delivers immediate and long-lasting hydration, creating a velvety finish on the skin.
We noticed that this formula is packed with ceramides, the waxy lipid molecules that are naturally produced by the skin and are vital in supporting the stratum corneum (outer layer of skin).
A properly functioning stratum corneum is essential for healthy skin as it maintains epidermal hydration and serves as a barrier that responds to environmental stressors, infections, irritants, and allergens.
Applying products that contain ceramides — such as Skin Better Science Hydration Boosting Cream — can help to replenish ceramide levels, thus restoring the skin’s natural barrier.
The formula also includes plenty of humectants (betaine, xylitol, glycerin, beta-glucan, and more) to draw moisture into the skin, as well as the antioxidants vitamins C and E to protect against free radicals.
Bottom Line: A facial cream that’s rich in ceramides, humectants, and antioxidants to hydrate and protect skin.
Skin Better Science Cleansing Gel
This is a mild, foaming gel cleanser that gently and thoroughly cleanses the skin and removes makeup. Like most cleansers, this formula includes surfactants as the key ingredients.
A surfactant molecule contains one end that is hydrophilic (attracted to water) and one end that is lipophilic (attracted to oil). This allows surfactants to attract and suspend oils, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin and wash them away.
These surfactants are combined with hydrating and soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, chamomile, and cucumber extract.
Bottom Line: A mild, foaming gel cleanser that gently cleanses skin, removes makeup, and hydrates.
Is Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream Right For You?
Before purchasing the Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, here’s a summary of the most important factors to consider:
- Key ingredients? Glycolic acid, retinoid
- Skin type? All skin types
- Texture? Lightweight cream
- Fragrance? No
- Cruelty-free? Yes
- Cost? $125 USD for 1 oz
What Are The Key Ingredients in Skin Better Science Products?
As you can probably tell from our introductions to the Skin Better Science products in the last section, this brand focuses on using evidence-based ingredients in their products, including:
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidants
- Retinol
- Peptides
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids
All of these ingredients have research to support their benefits when applied to the skin.
The brand combines these ingredients with plenty of soothing botanicals, such as chamomile and cucumber extract, as well as safe synthetics, such as silicones and humectants.
How Much Do Skin Better Science Products Cost?
Skin Better Science products are priced on the higher end; they are much more costly than drugstore products, but they aren’t outrageous. For example, Skin Better Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream costs $125 USD for 1 oz, while the InterFuse Treatment Eye Cream costs $105 for ½ oz.
Where to Buy Skin Better Science Products?
Skin Better Science products can only be purchased by the company’s authorized physicians. Once a customer has purchased products from an authorized physician, they can register to buy additional products directly from the website.
Is Skin Better Science Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Skin Better Science is cruelty-free.
Is Skin Better Science Vegan?
Skin Better Science may offer some products that are suitable for vegans, but this is not a 100% vegan brand.
Skin Better Science Reviews
One way we rate products on our review lists is by looking at what the customers have to say after they’ve tried the product.
Unfortunately, Skin Better Science does not display customer reviews on their website. This is a shame because the real proof of how well a product performs is in what the customer has to say after they’ve tried the product.
But we did take a look at Influenster.com to evaluate Skin Better Science reviews. There’s a handful of reviews for the popular AlphaRet Overnight Cream, and all the reviews are 4 and 5 star ratings.
While there aren’t very many Skin Better Science reviews from customers, this brand has received plenty of editorial coverage and awards.
For instance, the AlphaRet Overnight Cream has won 8 awards, including the 2021 NewBeauty Beauty Awards and 2021 InStyle Best Night Cream.
In a 2018 Vogue round up on best eye creams, Francesca Fusco, M.D. named SkinBetter Science Interfuse Eye Cream one of her favorites due to the “neuro calming peptide that has a wrinkle diminishing effect.”
Other Skin Better Science products have been featured in Elle, In Style, O magazine, New Beauty, Allure, PopSugar, and more.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Skin Better Science products are formulated well with a combination of evidenced-based ingredients with proprietary ingredients.
Pros
- Products contain evidenced-based ingredients (AHAs, retinol, hyaluronic acid, etc.)
- All Skin Better Science products are paraben free, fragrance free, and dye free
- Skin Better Science is cruelty free
Cons
- High cost
- Very few Skin Better Science reviews from customers
References:
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Feb; 3(2): 22–41
